{
Now My Tongue the Mystery Telling
by
Attr. St. Thomas Aquinas
PANGE LINGUA-Sarum Plainsong, Mode III
ST. THOMAS-John Francis Wade, Cantus Diversi, 175
1
Now, My Tongue, the Mystery Telling
}
Now, my tongue, the mystery telling
Of the glorious Body sing,
And the blood, all price excelling,
Which the gentiles' Lord and King,
Once on earth among us dwelling,
Shed for this world's ransoming.
Given for us, and condescending
To be born for us below,
He with us in converse blending
Dwells, The seed of truth to sow,
Till he closed with wondrous ending
His most patient life of woe.
That last night at supper lying
Mid the twelve, His chosen band,
Jesus, with the law complying,
Keeps the feast its rights demand;
Then, more precious food supplying,
Gives himself with his own hand.
Word made flesh, the bread he takest,
By his word his flesh to be;
Wine His sacred blood he maketh,
Though the senses fail to see;
But alone the true heart waketh
To behold the mystery.
Therefore we, before him bending,
This great sacrament revere;
Types and shadows have their ending,
For the newer right is here;
Faith, our outward sense befriending,
Makes our inward vision clear.
Glory let us give and blessing
To the Father and the Son,
Honor, thanks, and praise addressing,
While eternal ages run;
Ever, too, His love confessing
Who from both with both is One.